Friday, 12 September 2014

Mocona Falls, Argentina

Everyone knows the most popular waterfall in
Argentina which is Iguazu Falls. But very few peoples know about Moconá Falls
take the crown for the most unique waterfall in Argentina. Moconá falls is also
recognized as Yucuma Falls, and it is located in the Uruguay River, in the
province of Misiones, in Argentina, 337 kilometers from the city of Posadas and
322 kilometers from Iguazu Falls. Moconá fall does not follow the normal
downward and forward trajectory that most waterfalls do.

In its place, it runs along the length of the
river with water spilling off the side into a gorge.This is about three kilometers long waterfall
and probably the only waterfalls in the world to run parallel to the river
rather than perpendicular. The name Moconá means “To Swallow Everything” in the
Guarani language and is used mostly in Argentina. Yucuma means “the big fall”
and is popular in Brazil.

The Uruguay River acts as a natural border between
Brazil and Argentina, and this exclusive geological feature is shared by both
countries. A strange feature of the Uruguay River is the presence of a
submerged canyon or trench at the bottom of the river channel.This is well believed that the canyon have
formed during the Ice Age, when the climate was drier and the river was
narrower is up to 100 meters deep and 15 to 30% of the width of the river. The
canyon is only visible in two places, one of which is the Moconá Falls.

Normally waterfalls itself is not visible for 150
days a year. During some time, the falls become more like rapids. When water
level becomes low and falls below the edge of the canyon, it begins spilling
into the now exposed canyon, and formed in Moconá Falls. The height of
waterfall varies from five to seven meters, mainly depending on the volume of
the water dragged by the Uruguay River. Therefore the width of waterfall also
varies entirely depends upon volume of water ranging between 1,800 meters and
3,000 meters wide.

The most importantly the area where the Moconá
falls are located is considered a Provincial Park which includes the Yabotí
Biosphere Reserve. Myriad lodges have been settled down in the area which
provides accommodation for visitors in search of water activities such as
rubber boat rafting, canoe outings, kayaking and safaris along the river and
creeks around this wetland. Source: Charismatic Planet